The 20 Best Tudor Watches of All-Time
Tudor, a subsidiary of Rolex, was created by Hans Wilsdorf – Rolex’s founder – in 1946 with the aim of offering clients a cheaper alternative that would convey similar quality and reliability as the parent organization.
The name Tudor is a derivative of a Royal British Family known as Tudor that ruled the English between 1485 and 1603. Tudor’s main mission is fairly straightforward: furnish consumers with luxury watches of similar reliability and quality as Rolex – its parent company – but in a more affordable price range.
Tudor basically aims to serve as a cheaper alternative to luxury watch lovers who desire to have a Rolex watch but cannot afford one. Choosing a Tudor watch means that you will get quality, reliability, and style. In a way, Tudor is Rolex – just a significantly cheaper one.
Given that Tudor is a younger subsidiary of Rolex, the company’s manufacturing philosophy is considerably similar to that of Rolex. Just as in Rolex, Tudor hopes to achieve uncompromising and relentless quality.
Unlike Rolex, which uses in-house chronometer-certified movements, Tudor uses both chronometer certified Tudor movements and non-chronometer certified movements.
Tudor is highly-regarded since it uses very precise movements, and this might be attributable to the idea that Swatch Group makes good movements and also because Tudor upgrades its ETA movements. Moreover, Tudor’s in-house movements are made by Rolex – this explains the accuracy, reliability, and quality of their movements. Tudor’s movements are serviceable and durable.
How Tudors are Produced
Just like other luxury brands, Tudor watches are produced in masses through high-tech methods. The watches, furthermore, go through demanding quality measures. Not one Tudor watch leaves the factory until the company is satisfied and sure of its quality.
It is debatable how you can rank different watches. Ranking is, in most cases, not objective; however, the best way to turn its subjectivity into being objective is by relying on particular criteria. 13 different criteria are used to determine the suitability of a particular watch. The list includes:
- A long and well-respected history
- Large demand and limited supply
- Prestige, reputation, and status
- Innovations and pioneering spirit
- Impact on modern culture and watchmaking history
- Production
- Movements
- Movement complications
- Build quality
- Steel grade
- Price range
- High resale value
- Market presence
Below is a list of our picks for The 20 Best Tudor Watches of All-Time.
20. Tudor Heritage Black Bay
It is likely that you wonder why this watch has a Vintage look. The look pays homage to the Rolex submariners, and just as the Submariners of the 50s and 60s, the Tudor Heritage Black Bay does not have a date function.
Purchasing a Tudor watch means that you are buying from a respected and admired luxury brand; however, going specifically for a Tudor Heritage means that you will get a watch that prides in a classic and timeless design. If you desire to have a brand new divers watch with a fine vintage look, the Heritage is what you are looking for.
Other features
- Bronze and 316L stainless steel
- Solid black case
- Sapphire crystal
- Leather straps
- 660 feet water resistance – suitable for diving and snorkeling
19. Tudor Pelagos
Purchasing a Tudor Pelagos means that you are choosing the best divers watch that Tudor can offer. In fact, the Tudor Pelagos might rank as one of the best divers watches currently being produced in the Swiss luxury watch industry. The Pelagos is built from titanium – this makes it light on the wrist and comfortable to put on. The watch prides in water resistance capacity of about 1640 feet.
Other features
- Polished titanium
- Solid black case
- Sapphire crystal
- Black rubber straps
- Titanium bracelets
- 1640 feet water resistance capacity
18. Tudor North Flag
This watch embodies sporty lines, a movement made by Tudor, and hybrid-ceramic components. The North Flag captures the spirit of the wristwatch that encouraged its creation; it is also the model worn by British North Greenland in 1952.
Other Features
- 40 mm steel case
- Open back with sapphire crystal
- Self-winding mechanical movement with a bidirectional rotor system
- A power reserve of about 70 hours
- Double bezel in matte black ceramic and steel
- Power reserve disc at nine o’clock
- Date at three o’clock
- Black leather straps with yellow stitches and yellow leather lining
17. Tudor FastRider Black Shield
This model was designed right after the new Ducati xDiavel – an awesome bike which prides in an equally stellar finish. Just as in other Black Shield models, its piece de resistance due to its tough ceramic casing.
Other features
- 42 mm ceramic case with a black finish and monobloc middle case
- Power reserves of about 46 hours
- Self-winding mechanical movements
- Screw-down winding crown in black PVD-treated steel
- Treated steel with Tudor Logo
- Rapid date corrector
- Matt black PVD steel at nine o’clock
- Waterproof capacity to about 500 feet
16. Tudor Heritage Black Bay Chrono
The Chrono is, undoubtedly, one of the most discussed and controversial Tudors in the near history of the brand. It seems to be a complex watch: not only from the design perspective but also from the larger industry perspective.
The Chrono seems to be derived, at least aesthetically, from the Black Bay Steel. The resemblance to the Black Bay comes in due to the presence of red writing to indicate the depth and a date complication.
At about 4725 US dollars retail value, the watch is an excellent value for money. It delivers on every level by relying on its slick design, movement, quality, and heritage.
15. Tudor Black Bay GMT
The Tudor Black Bay GMT was arguably the most important watch to be made in 2018. This watch is a historic model for the Tudor since it is the company’s first GMT movement and also the first GMT complication that has been offered under the popular Black Bay line.
It takes only a short glance for anyone to notice that the GMT borrows a lot from the Rolex heritage, but in a nuanced way: embedding many of the unique Tudor features like the Black Bay case and snowflake hands.
14. Tudor Black Pelagos 2.0
The Pelagos is the standard bearer of Tudor’s modern dive wristwatches, which serves as the most contemporary alternative to the brand’s Black Bay. However, unlike the Black Bay, the Pelagos features cutting edge build materials like the titanium case and the ceramic bezel.
Design-wise, it is a watch with both feet firmly in the modern era, yet it has not abandoned the snowflake heritage. In 2015, Tudor released a new line of the Pelagos brand with a blue bezel and dial which brought in a high-tech movement to match the fresh new look.
13. The Tudor Heritage Advisor Cognac
The Heritage Advisor Cognac is a very important watch for the Tudor brand since it is one of the few models that do not have a Rolex analog – the Advisor Cognac is proudly all Tudor. Previously, there were only two versions: a black and silver dial but there is only a beautiful cognac color available at the moment. While the Heritage Advisor does not get a version of the in-house movement, the alarm complication is made by Tudor.
12. The Tudor Heritage Advisor
The Tudor Heritage Advisor is, from a horological, historical, and aesthetic point of view, the most interesting wristwatch ever made by the brand. It is also the only alarm watch that Tudor has ever produced.
The watch prides in an interesting movement, an interesting history, and an interesting design. Indeed, this watch’s has a very complicated dial: the most complex dial ever made by Tudor.
This is because of its alarm feature complication since much of the dial’s complexity is geared towards realizing that function. The Advisor, historically, was one of the two watches that effectively brought Tudor out of Rolex’s shadow since it was the first watch made with no Rolex equivalent – this remains true to this date.
11. Tudor Black Bay 2.0
The Black Bay is arguably the most popular modern watch by Tudor. This does not come as a surprise since it is based on an amalgamation of the best watches from Tudor’s past.
Recently, Tudor opted to update the original models by making stylistic changes to the bracelet, the dial, and adding an in-house movement. The company, however, has not changed much in regards to the case. It is still 41 mm – a terrific size for a watch – and at 14.88 mm thickness, it is thicker than its predecessor.
10. The Tudor Black Bay 36
The Black Bay 36 differs from other watches in the Black Bay series due to its smaller size. At 36 mm, it offers a significant change from the 43 mm and 41 mm standards – this allows the Black Bay to be bought by more collectors.
Moreover, it is also a departure in terms of style given its resemblance to the Rolex Explorer. This is because it drops the rotating bezel and adopts a polished case thus giving it a simple and utilitarian look.
Additionally, it uses a shiny black dial as opposed to a matte one in other devices. The watch is available on a leather strap or a bracelet and both have an additional camo strap.
9. Tudor Black Bay Dark
The Black Bay Dark, in simple terms, is absolutely stunning. This watch is by far the most menacing of the Black Bay series due to its black bezel and dial, which has red writing, and the black PVD coat that covers its bracelet and case. This watch, also, prides in the new MT-5602 movement.
8. Tudor Black Bay Steel
While it does not bring in a new movement, the watch does have a date thus making it unique among the Black Bay lineup. Moreover, it has a fabric strap which makes it even more appealing.
Stylistically, the Black Bay Steel does something out of the ordinary for the Black Bay model: it is really modern. It is a Black Bay in every sense, but it looks like a watch produced in 2019 and not 1968.
You do not stand any chance in finding superfluous vintage touches on this watch: except of course the bracelet that has been replaced by a bold steel bezel and red writing on the dial.
7. The Tudor Heritage Black Bay S&G
The S&G is closely related to the Steel since it features similar date complication and movement. It is also the first and only two-tone model in production. The S&G comes to life once it is put on the strap that comes together with the watch. The price is also attainable at 4975 US dollars on the bracelet and about 3775 US dollars on the leather.
6. Tudor Clair de Rose
Tudor hopes to revive the feminine Clair de Rose series in a timeless and more refined manner. The watch was introduced in 2017 at Baselworld, and the models are available only in mechanical movements.
Other Features
- 34 mm case with a good polished finish
- Smooth steel bezel
- Opaline with eight diamonds
- Sapphire crystal
- Steel attachments
- Black leather strap
- Waterproof at 330 feet
- Power reserve – about 38 hours
5. Tudor Oysterdate 7032/0
Presented in 1971, this Tudor chronograph reference has similar characters with the 7031/0 except that it has a satin steel bezel.
Other Features
- Self-winding automatic movement
- Stainless Steel Polished and brushed case
- Water resistance at 660 feet
- Stainless steel strap
4. Tudor Big Block 9430
This prince Oysterdate chronograph does not display its official name on the dial. Instead, ‘Chrono Time’ or the ‘Automatic Chrono Time’ indicators are displayed on the dial.
Other features
- Self-winding automatic movement
- Stainless Steel Polished and brushed case
- Stainless steel
3. Tudor Prince Date 79260
In 1998, the Oyster bracelet was abandoned progressively. The 79260, produced in 2000, only has Tudor markings on its dial.
Other Features
- Deployment buckle
- Sapphire crystal
- Self-winding automatic movement
- Stainless Steel Polished and brushed case
- Stainless steel
2. Tudor Oysterdate 7033/0
This is the last version in the Oysterdate chronograph series. However, unlike in the previous models, it was not commercialized. It is endowed in a bidirectional bezel with an anodized exceptional insert.
Other features
- Manual Winding
- Deployment buckle
- Stainless Steel Polished and brushed case
- Stainless steel
1. The Tudor Montecarlo 7149/0
The Montecarlo 7149/0 prides in a Plexiglas bezel and a 500 unit graduated scale. This watch, which was presented in 1971, gradually replaced the 7031/0 model. This is because it added more performance to the qualities of the latter due to the use of a newer movement.
Other features
- Self-winding automatic movement
- Stainless Steel Polished and brushed case
- Stainless steel
You can also read:
- A Closer Look at The Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight Navy Blue
- Tudor vs. Rolex: Who Wins This Battle?
- The Top Five Tudor Heritage Models
- A Closer Look at the Tudor Black Bay GMT
- A Closer Look at the Tudor North Flag